Machine and method for card mounting shanked buttons

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for securing buttons having fastening eyes to a mounting card, the button eyes projecting through the card, which apparatus includes a jig having longitudinally spaced wells for receiving the eyes of buttons carried by the card positioned on the jig, and a narrower open-topped passageway traversing the jig across the wells and having tapered trailing ends. A feed mechanism advances a length of wire from a source thereof along the passageway and through the eyes, and shaping and severing members at opposite ends of the jig, which either reciprocate or oscillate, which sever the length of wire from the source and bend the ends thereof projecting beyond the end wells 180*. The card is then lifted, the fastening wire passing freely through the top of the passageway.

United States Patent Pommer [451 Nov. 28, 1972 MACHINE METHOD FOR CARD [57] GS H El: BUTTONS An apparatus for securing buttons having fastening [72] Inventor: Edwin B. Pommer, Port Washingeyes to a mounting card, the button eyes projecting through the card, which apparatus includes a jig hav- [73] Assigneez' a Blumcnthal & Co Inc. New ing longitudinally spaced wells for receiving the eyes York NY of buttons carried by the card positioned on the jig, and a narrower open-topped passageway traversing Flledl 1971 the jig across the wells and having tapered trailing [21] APP] 115,025 ends. A feed mechanism advances a length of wire from a source thereof along the passageway and through the eyes, and shaping and severing members [52] US. Cl ..29/433, 29/241 at opposiw ends-of the jig, which either reciprocate or [51] IIPLCL ..B23p 19/04 oscillate, which Sever the length of wire f the [58] Fleld of Search ..29/433, 241, 203 B Source and bend the ends thereof projecting beyond 56 f the end wells 180.- The card is then lifted, the fasten- 1 Re erences C'ted ing wire passing freely through the top of the UNITED STATES PATENTS passageway- 1 1 7,287. 6/1942 Boltz .;29/241 22 i 18 ing Fig r Primary Examiner-Thomasl-I. Eager Att0meyWil liarn R.'Liberman x 5? 4s 57 I so 49 :2 "fi s3 54 5| 5| f R 70 6953; 0 77 78 73074 .68 a 1 u I l 0 o I 9 ll 2 9 9 l 29 6| I 26 i w 76 I 70 I" l@ f 4 7| I 5 I is l I 2| e0 2s 1 MACHINE AND METHOD FOR CARD MOUNTING SHANKED BU'ITONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ticularly to an improved method and apparatus for releasably securing buttons with fastening eyes to a I mounting card.

It is a common practice to distribute and market small objects such as buttons by mounting groups thereof on a support card. Where the buttons are of the type provided with rearwardly projecting fastening eyes a convenient and facile manner of securing such buttons to a mounting card consists in positioning the bottoms on the card with the eyes projecting through preformed apertures in the card and then passing a wire through the card and bending the ends of the wire. While this arrangement for mounting eye fastener buttons to a card is highly satisfactory it possesses important drawbacks since the securing of the .buttons to the individual cards is rather time consuming, and accordingly the costof need be.

I SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for assembling small objects for retention, display and distribution.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for attaching groups of objects to mounting cards. I

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method andapparatus for releasably securing a group of buttons having fastening eyes to a mounting card.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the above nature characterized by its reliabili'ty, ruggedness, simplicity and ease of operation, and high'versatility and adaptability. I

- The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments the end product is higher than it thereof.

In a sense the present invention provides an apparatus for securing to a mounting card a plurality of devices located on the card and having apertured elements depending from said devices through openings in said card and being linearly aligned comprising a jig block having a longitudinal passageway extending along the length thereof and a plurality of longitudinally spaced wells in the top face thereof communicating with said passageway and adapted to receive the apertured elements of the devices on a card positioned on the jig block with said apertures in axial alignment with the passageway, means for feeding a length of wire through the passageway and the apertured elements registering therewith, and means for transversely bending the wire proximate the opposite ends of the jig block.

According to the preferred forms of the improved apparatus the wire is fed from a reel thereof either by means of a single stroke reciprocating unilateral wire clamp, the length of the stroke being equal to the desired fastening wire length or by spring contracted feed rolls whose drive is controlled by a wire end sensing switch. The longitudinal passageway has a restricted opening along its top and tapered trailing ends and the wells are of greater width than the passageway and have flared openings. In one form, the wire bending and severing assembly includes a pair of nesting mutually slideable first yokes movable between 0 an advanced position with the inner yoke arms engaging the sides of the jig block and with the outer yoke arms intercepting the path of the wire to effect the severing thereof and a retracted withdrawn position and a second yoke having leading ends complementing the jig block end comers and movable to a position engaging the corners. The second yoke is advanced and retracted following the advance of the first yoke pair. In another form of the bending and severing assembly, a pair of wire bending blocks are positioned along opposite sides of the jig block and are rotated about 180 about vertical axes, each from one side of the wire path across wire path to a direction approximately parallel to the wire path on its opposite side.

The present invention also contemplates the provision of a method for releasably securing to a mounting card a plurality of longitudinally spaced devices provided with projecting apertured elements comprising the steps of mounting said devices on the card with the apertured elements depending from the card and with the apertures in coaxial alignment, positioning the device-carrying card on a block provided with longitudinally spaced wells interconnected by an open-topped longitudinal passageway with the apertured elements engaging the wells and the apertures in coaxial alignment with the passageway, inserting a pliable wire through the passageway and the apertures, transversely bending the opposite ends of said wire and then lifting the device-carrying card from the block with the wire passing through the passageway open top.

The improved apparatus and method are simple and reliable, require a minimum of time and skill in their operation and application and are of great versatility and adaptability. i

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of an apparatus embodying the present invention illustrated with the wire feed device and the wire bending and severing members in a retracted position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the first wire severing and bending member in its advanced position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG 1 illustrating the second wire bending member in advanced position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG is a fragmentary top plan view of another embodiment of the present invention illustrated with the wire severing and bending members in retracted positrons;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG 10 illustrating the wire severing and bending members in their advanced positions;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG 10 showing the apparatus employing an alternative jig and adapter for handling longer mounting cards;

FIG 13 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the jig and wire bending members illustrated in retracted positions;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view ofa mounting card with buttons attached by the apparatus shown in FIGS 10 and l 1;

FIG 15 is a perspective view of the jig block of the apparatus of FIGS l0, l1 and 13;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line l616 in FIG 15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17-17 in FIG. 16; and

FIG 18 is a sectional view taken along line 18-18 in FIG 17. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM- BODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, particularly FIGS 1 to 9 thereof which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference numeral 10 generally designates the improved apparatus which is employed in releasably securing buttons B to a mounting card C. Card C, as is conventional, is of rectangular configuration and has a plurality regularly of longitudinally spaced medially located openings 11 formed therein. The buttons B are positioned on the top face of card C and are provided with depending apertured fastening eyes 12 which project through openings 11 and depend from card C. A pliable wire W such as a chenille wire, for example pipe cleaner wire, passes through eyes C and is bent at its opposite ends to form inwardly looped or reverse bent locking sections 13. To release buttons B from card C one of the wire locking ends 13 is straightened and wire W withdrawn from eyes 11 by pulling at the other end of wire W. The improved apparatus l0 inserts wire W through eyes 11, severs a length thereof and forms loops 13.

Apparatus 10 includes a trailing wire feed section 14 and a leading wire severing, threading and shaping section 16, sections 14 and 16 being positioned on a mounting plate 17. Section 16 includes a rectangular base plate 18 which is superimposed on and secured to mounted plate 17 and has mounted on the top face thereof a leading first guide block 19 having a vertical transversely extending guide face 20. Mounted atop the trailing border of base plate 18 is a narrown horizontal plate 21 to the top face of which is bolted a trailing cutter and guide block 22 having a transversely extending vertical guide face 23 parallel to and spaced from guide face 20. Formed in guide block 22 proximate its top is a medially longitudinally extending wire guide bore 24. A plurality of suitably positioned card positioning pins 26 project upwardly from guide block and from base plate 18.

A rectangular spacing plate 27 is positioned on base plate 18 intermediate and spaced from guide faces 20 and 23, and a jig block 28 is releasably mounted atop plate 27 with its side to end faces 29 being equally longitudinally spaced from and parallel to corresponding confronting guide faces 20 and 23. Jig block 28 comprises a longitudinally extending, rear, relatively large section 35 and a front, relatively small section 30 joined along a longitudinal vertical plane 32 by transverse screws 33 registering with countersunk bores in section 35 and engaging coaxial tapped bores in section 30. Jig block section 35 is provided with short foot pieces 34 which rest on plate 27 and a screw 36 secures jig block 28 to plate 27 and has a head nesting in a counter bore in block section 35. Suitable elements are provided for properly orienting block 28 with plane 32 in longitudinal alignment with wire guide bore 24.

A wire guide bore or passageway 37 extends longitudinally along the full length ofjig block 28 between end faces 29 and is symmetrical to joint plane 32 and is of arcuate transverse cross section and provided with a restricted top opening slot or throat 38 extending for its full length and providing access through the top face 39 of jig block 28. A plurality of regularly longitudinally spaced wells 40 are formed in the top face of jig block 28 symmetrical to joint plane 32 and intersecting guide bore 37. Each well 40 is of rectangular transverse cross section and of slightly greater transverse dimension than and of a configuration to engage slideably the eye 11 of a card mounted button B, the vertical positioning of bore 37 being such as to be in coaxial alignment with the apertures of eyes 11 registering with wells 40 and supported by a jig-positioned card C. The front and rear upper peripheral borders 41 of wells 40 are inwardly downwardly inclined to facilitate the insertion of eyes 11. Furthermore the mouths or sections 42 of wire guide bore 37 at their intersections with the trailing end face 29 ofjig block 28 and the leading faces 43 of wells 40 are flared to guide the advancing wire into the respective sections of wire guide bore 37. The front vertical corners 44 of jig block 28 are rounded or curved about vertical axes.

A first yoke assembly comprises a pair of slideably telescoping horizontal inner and outer yoke members 46 and 47 respectively positioned rearwardly of jig block 28. Outer yoke member 47 includes a longitudinally extending cross bar 48 and a pair of trailing and leading side arms 49 and 50, respectively, projecting forwardly from cross bar 48 with side arm 49 slideably engaging guide face 23 and base plate 18, and side arm 50 slideably engaging guide face 20 and base plate 18. The front end faces 5! of side arms 49 and 50 are beveled rearwardly toward each other, the upper outer edge 52 of end face 51 of side arm 49 defining a cutting edge cooperating with block 22.

Inner yoke member 46 includes a rear cross bar 53 parallel to cross bar 48 and forwardly projecting parallel similarly shaped arms 54. One of the yoke arms 54 is positioned between and slideably engages the inside face of yoke arm 49 and the trailing end face 29 of jig block 28 and slideably engages base plate 18 and the other yoke arm 54 is positioned between and slideably engages the inside face of yoke arm 50 and the leading end face 29 of jig block 28 and also slideably engages base plate 18. Yoke members 46 and 47 are slideably connected by a pair of longitudinally spaced parallel screw bolts 56 having smooth shanks registering with parallel bores in cross bar 48 and tapped ends engaging corresponding tapped bores in cross bar 53. Helical compression springs 57 engage screws 56 and are entrapped between cross bars 48 and 53 to urge yoke member 46 forwardly to a point limited by the heads of screws 56 bearing on the'rear face of cross bar 48 when the leading ends of yoke arms 49, 50 and 54 are [ongitudinally aligned.

The first yoke assembly is transversely reciprocable between a retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 1 with the front ends of yoke arms 49, 50 and 54 being disposed rearwardly of the jig block passageway 37 and wire guide bore 24 in an advanced position, as shown in FIG. 2, with the yoke arm front ends being positioned forwardly of the front face of jig block 28. Transversely extending grooves 58 are formed in the confronting faces of yoke arms 54 for their full length at the level of passageway 37. I

A yoke member 58 is located forwardly of jig block 24 and includes a front cross bar 59 and a pair of Iongitudinally spaced rearwardly directed similar arms 60 projecting from cross bar 59. The inner underfaces of arms 60 slideably engage the side borders ,of the top face of plate 27 forward of jig block 28, and flanges depend from the outside edges of arms 60 and slideably engage the side'faces of plate 27 and the top face of base plate 18. The rear free end faces 61 of arms 60 are stepped to delineate rearwardly directed and confronting faces joined by curved corners so that end faces 61 mate or complement the curved vertical front comers 44 of jig block 28, and horizontal grooves 63 are formed in the faces of end faces 61 and extendthe full lengths thereof at the level of passageway 37. It should be noted that the outer faces of yoke arms 60 are substantially coplanar with those of yoke arms 54. In the advanced position of yoke member 58, as shown in FIG. 3, arms end faces 61 engage jig block corners 44 and in its retracted position, as shown in FIG. 1, the rear ends of yoke arms. 60 are spaced from the front face of jig block 28 a distance greater than that between jig block end faces 29 and guide faces and 23. In addition, when yoke members 47 and 58 are in their advanced positions yoke 58 urges arms 54 rearwardly of passageway 37 and inwardly of yokemember 47 to load springs 57.

A block 64'is mounted on base plate. 17 in abutment with the trailing faces of block 21 and plate 18 and supports a vertical wire guide ,65 having a wire guide bore 66 coaxial with bore 24. A longitudinal slot 68 is formed in plate 17 and extends from block 64 in longitudinal alignment with wire guide 65. A stationary unilateral clamp 69, permitting only the forward longitudinal advance of wire W, is positioned directly longitudinally rearwardly of guide block 22 and includes a pair of vertical mounting posts 70 positioned on opposite sides of slot 68 and having vertical slots engaging the trailing ends of forwardly longitudinally converging resilient clamp arms 71 the leading ends of which are curved toward each other and resiliently urged into mutual engagement between wire guide 65 and guide block 22 along the axis of bores 24 and 66. Arms 71- are secured to post 70 by suitable set screws.

A longitudinally reciprocatable unilateral clamp 72 is located above and movable along the length of slot 68 and includes a vertical block. 73 connected to a reciprocating drive member of conventional structure (not shown) underlying plate 17. A pair of resilient clamp arms 74 are mounted on the front and rear faces of block 73 and converge longitudinally forwardly into engagement along the axis of bores 24 and 66. A wire guide 73a coaxial with bores 24 and 66 is formed in block 72. An adjustable stop member is positioned on plate 17 immediately trailing slot 68 and includes a block 76 secured to plate 17 and provided with a tapped longitudinal bore engaged by a screw bolt 77 extending through the bore and releasably set by a lock nut 78. The free end of screw 77 is in the path of block 73 and defines the trailing end of the longitudinal stroke of clamp 72 the leading end being at a point with clamp arms 74 proximate thread guide 65.

A timing and drive mechanism of well known construction, preferably of pneumatic actuation, employing solenoid actuated valves and an electrical sequencing or timing network, is employed, although completely mechanical or electromechanical driving and timing mechanisms may be used. The drive sequence cycle effected by the drive mechanism upon the activation of a cycle initiating member comprises the advance of clamp member 72 followed by the advance of yoke member 47 and thereafter the advance of yoke member 58 and then the retraction of the yoke members.

Considering now the operation of the improved apparatus 10, it is first loaded with a reel R of wire W suitably supported for the free withdrawal of wire which is threaded through the bore in the retracted clamp block 73, between clamp arms 74, through guide bore 66, between clamp arms 71 and through bore 24 to guide face 23. In employing apparatus 10 for securing buttons B to card C, a button bearing card C is superimposed on jig block 28 as guided by locating pins 26. Button eyes engage wells 40 with theapertures 12 in coaxial alignment with a passageway 37.

The button fastening cycle is initiated .by actuating the starting member, as aforesaid, whereupon clamp member 72 advances drawing wire W from reel R and feeding it linearly through clamp 69, wire guide bores 66 and 24, passageway 37, wells 41) and eye apertures 12 until the leading end of the fed wire reaches guide surface 20. Thereafter, yoke member 47 is advanced, advancing yoke member 46 therewith by way of springs 37, the cutting edge 52 of yoke arm 49 severing wire W along block face 23 and yoke arms 54 bending the ends of wire W projecting beyond jig block end faces 29 forwardly as illustrated in FIG. 2, to parallel transverse positions along and beyond jig block end faces 29 and .yoke arm grooves 58. Yoke 58' is then advanced to engage the free ends of the forwardly projecting legs of wire W in the end face grooves 63 of arms to bend the wire legs about jig block corners 44 to form hooks or loops 13. The cycle is completed by the retraction of yoke members 46, 47 and 58 and the retraction of clamp member '72 which slides along wire W, whose retraction is prevented by clamp 69. Card C with buttons B wire secured thereto is then lifted from jig block 28, wire W passing through passageway top opening 38. The apparatus is now ready for repetition of the aforesaid operational cycle.

in F168 10 to 18 of the drawings there is illustrated another embodiment of the present invention which differs from that first described primarily in the wire shaping mechanism as well as in the wire feed arrangement. Specifically the improved apparatus 100 includes a base plate 101 having longitudinally extending transversely spaced front and rear slots 102 and 103 respectively formed therein. Mounted on base plate 101 proximate the trailing end of slot 102 are a pair of similarly shaped confronting clamp blocks 104 which are longitudinally ofiset relative to each other and transversely spaced on opposite sides of the medial longitudinal axis of slot 102. Clamp blocks 104 have horizontal coplanar top faces and parallel vertical longitudinal confronting faces and are secured to base plate 101 by screws 106 registering with vertical bores in blocks 104 and .engaging tapped bores in base plate 101 and which have enlarged heads nesting in counterbores in clamp blocks 104.

A jig block 107'extends longitudinally between the confronting faces of clamp blocks 104 and has longitudinally offset front and rear faces engaging the clamp block confronting faces. A thumb screw 108 registers with a transverse bore in each clamp block 104 and releasably engages tapped sections of respective coaxial bores 105 in jig block 107. Jig block 107 is formed of a pair of similar sections 109 joined along coinciding vertical faces which define a longitudinal vertical medial plane 110. Jig block sections 109 are joined by screw bolts 111 passing through each block section 109 and engaging tapped bores in the other block section and having enlarged heads nesting in counterbores.

Jig block 107 has opposite parallel transverse leading and trailing end or side faces 112 and 113 respectively. End face 1 12 is joined by a rounded vertical corner 114 to a flat leading vertical front face 116 which extends longitudinally rearwardly at an acute angle of a few degrees with the medial longitudinal plane 110 of jig block 107 and end face 1 13 is joined by a rounded vertical corner 117 to a flat trailing vertical rear face 118 which extends longitudinally forwardly parallel to face 116. Delineated from oblique face 116 by a transverse shoulder 119 is a longitudinally extending front trailing block face 120, and delineated from oblique face 118 by a transverse shoulder 121 is a rear leading block face 122, faces 120 and 122 being engaged by the confronting faces of clamp blocks 104.

The top face 123 of jig block 107 is horizontal and at a level a short distance above the tops of clamp blocks 104. A longitudinally extending wire guide passageway 126 is medially formed in jig block 107 shortly below top face 123 and is of arcuate transverse cross section. Passageway 126 communicates with top face 123 by a vertical slot 127 which extends for the full length of passageway 126 between end faces 112 and 113. Formed in top face 123 ofjig block 107 are a plurality of regularly longitudinally spaced wells 128, the end wells 128 being proximate respective end faces 1 l2 and 113. Wells 128 are shaped to receive in nesting relationship eyes 129 of buttons B carried by a card C with the apertures in eyes 129 in coaxial alignment with passageway 126. Each well 128 is symmetric to and of greater width than passageway 126 and sections 130 of passageway 126 proximate the leading faces of wells 128 are funnel shaped. The upper intersecting borders of faces 112 and 116 and of faces 113 and 118 are cut away to provide corresponding access openings 115 to end wells 128, which access openings 115 extend below the bottom of passageway 126 and to the opposite sides the medial transverse plane of the respective end well 128.

A pair of leading and trailing wire bending members 132 and 133 respectively are positioned at the leading and trailing sections of jig block 107 and are of generally similar configuration. Bending member 132 includes a horizontal circular base 134 supported for rotation about a vertical axis proximate the medial vertical axes of jig block end face 112. Positioned on and projecting upwardly from base 134 is a wire guide and bending block 136 which includes a vertical planar front face 137 extending diametrically from the periphery of base 134 to a point short of the vertical axis thereof and being separated from the vertical axis by a vertical groove 138. Inside face 139 of bending block 136 lies along a radius of base 134 perpendicular to front face 137 and extends between points short of the axis and periphery of base 134. Outer face 140 of block 136 is coplanar with the periphery of base 134 and is joined to inner face 139 by a planar rear face.

Bending member 133 is similar in configuration and in positioning relative to jig block end face 113 to bending member 132 but with the bending block 141 thereof being oppositely oriented, that is, its face 142 corresponds to front face 137 of block 136 and the other faces are correspondingly oriented. Bending members 132 and 133 are rotated between retracted positions, as illustrated in F168. 10 and 13, with their inside end faces in confronting abutment with free end faces 112 and 113 respectively ofjig block 107, and an advanced position, as shown in FIG. 11, with bending block faces 137 and 142 overlying jig block faces 116 and 118 respectively. Formed in each of bending block faces 137 and 142 and extending for the full lengths thereof are wire guide grooves 143 which are longitudinal alignment with passageway 126 in jig block 107 when bending members 132 and 133 are in their retracted positions.

Base 134 of bending member 132 slideably registers with slot 102 and is positioned on a mounting plate 144 underlying base plate 101 and extending to slot 103. A clamp plate 146 is positioned on base plate 101 and overlies slot 103, and is releaseably secured to mounting plate 144 by screw bolts 147. Accordingly, the position of bending member 132 may be longitudinally adjusted by loosening clamping plate 146, sliding mounting plate 144 to the desired portion of bending member 132 and then tightening clamp plate 146. The circular base 148 of bending member 133 registers with a circular opening in base plate 101 and is not logitudinally adjustable.

A horizontal card positioning frame 149 is suitably replaceably mounted on base plate 101 and has an underface substantially coplanar with jig block top 123. Frame 149 includes a front section 150 provided with an arcuate finger accommodating medial recess 151 in its rear edge flanked by colinear longitudinal side edges 152. Extending rearwardly from the sides of front section 150 are parallel side legs 153 which terminate in inwardly directed colinear rear arms 154. Secured to the underface of frame member 149 along the inside comers thereof are card support corner plates 156. The trailing side leg 153 shortly trails bending member 133 and the leading side leg 153 leads bending member 132 and a wire sensing switch 157 is positioned between bending member 132 and leading side leg 153 and has a low force responsive actuatingelement in alignment with passageway 12 6 and retracted passageway 143.

. A wire guide block 158 having a longitudinal bore coaxial with passageway 126 trails bending member 133 and is located on slotted mounting wings 159 to permit its longitudinal adjustment along opposite longitudinal side tracks 160 secured to base plate 101. The leading face 161 of guide block 158 is proximate the trailing face of retracted bending block 141 and defines therewith wire severing-means. I I

A wire feed assembly 163 trails guide block 158 and includes a mounting plate 164 superimposed on and affixed to base plate 101 and overlies a transverse slot 165 which extends rearwardly of plate 164. A pair of vertical front and rear feed rolls 166 and 167 respectively are positioned atop plate 164 and have a bite in longitudinal alignment with the guide bore in block 158 and have registering peripheral grooves at the level of the guide bore. Front feed roll 166 is secured to and positively driven by a depending shaft which in turn is rotated by a suitable drive motor. Rear feed roll 167.is freely rotatable on a depending vertical axle which is transversely forwardly urged by a helical compression spring 168 engaged by a large headed screw bolt 169 and entrapped between the head of screw 169 and the axle to resiliently adjustably urge rear'roll 167 into engagement with front roll 166. In order to facilitatethe threading of feed rolls 166 and 167 with wire W a lever 170 is provided which is pivoted at a point 170a between its ends proximate'screw 168 and engages a groove 16821 in screw 169 to permit the retraction thereof and the release of the spring pressure on and retraction of feed roll 167. A wire guide 172 extends between the bite of feed rolls 166 and 167 and wire guide 158 and a wire guide 173 leads into the trailing mouth of the bite, wire guides 172 and 173 having guide bores coaxially aligned with that in guide block 158.

As in the apparatus 10 first described, any suitable drive and timing or sequencing mechanism (not shown) is providedwhich, upon the actuation of a cycle initiating member, drives feed 166 and 267 until the advancing wire W actuates switch 157, the actuation of switch 157 in turn stopping feed rolls 166 and 167 and causing bending members 132 and 133 to rotate clockwise from their retracted positions to their fully advanced positions engaging jig block faces 116 and 118 and then counter clockwise back to their retracted positions.

The operation of the apparatus 100 is clear from the above and its application is generally similar to that of apparatus 10. Briefly, a button carrying card C is placed on jig block 107 with the button eyes 129 in nesting engagement with wells 128, the apertures in eyes 129 in axial alignment with passageway 126, in which position card C registers with the opening of frame 149 and rests on corner elements 156. The cycle initiating member is then actuated whereby feed rolls 1,66 and 167 are rotated to advance wire W through wire guides 173, 172 and 158, bending block passageways 143, jig block passageway 126 and the apertures in button eyes 129 until the leading end of wire W engages and actuates sensing switch 157. The actuation of sending switch 157 stops feed rolls 166 and 167 and effects the motivation of bending members 132 and 133 which first rotate clockwise to their advanced position as shown in FIG. 11, bending the ends of wire W about the respective end eyes 129 to form oppositely formed loops 175 and then counterclockwise to their retracted positions as shown in FIGS 10 and 12. The card C is then raised and removed and apparatus is ready for the next cycle.

The apparatus 100 may be adjusted to accommodate cards of different sizes and with different numbers of buttons merely by replacing jig block 107 and frame 149 and adjusting the position of bending member 132, as illustrated in FIG. 12 of the drawings. Specifically, to accommodate a card C longer than card C and carrying six buttons, frame 149 with sensing switch 157 is replaced by the longitudinally longer-frame 176 provided at its leading end with sensing switch 177, the replacement being permitted by the separable securement of the frame by screws 178 to base plate 101. Clamp plate screws 147 are loosened to loosen clamp plate 146 which together with plate 144 and bending member 132 are advanced to proximate the leading end of frame 176. Jig block 107 is then replaced by a longer six well jig block 179 by loosening thumb screws 108 to release jig block 107, resetting leading clamp block 104 in advance of its initial position by loosening screw 106 and positioning it in the proper position where suitable positioning elements and a tapped bore (not shown) are located on base plate 101 and then tightening screw 106. Jig block 179 is then secured to clamp blocks 104 in the manner of jig block 107. Bending member 132 is then longitudinally adjusted relative to the leading end of jig block 179 and locked in position by tightening clamp plate 146 by means of screws 147. It should be noted that jig block 179 is similar in construction tojig block 107 except that it is provided with six instead of three eye-accommodating wells and is accordingly longer than jig block 107, the width and height of jig block 179 and the dimensions of the oblique front and rear end faces being the same as those of block 107. I

The operation of the adjusted apparatus shown in FIG. 12 is similar to that last described. It should be noted that the apparatus may be employed in fastening buttons arranged other than longitudinally along the card, for example diagonally, as illustrated by the card C as shown in FIG. 12.

While there have been described and illustrated preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

1 claim:

1. An apparatus for securing to a mounting card a plurality of devices located on the card and having apertured elements depending from said devices through said card and being linearly aligned comprising a jig block having a longitudinal passageway extending along the length thereof and a plurality of longitudinally spaced wells in the top face thereof communicating with said passageway and adapted to receive the apertured elements of the devices on a card positioned on said jig block with said apertures in axial alignment with said passageway, means for feeding a length of wire through said passageway and the apertured'elements registering therewith, and means for transversely bending said wire proximate the opposite end wells in said block.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wire bending means comprises a first pair of arms movable along transverse paths proximate the ends of said block between a retracted position rearwardly of and out of registry with said passageway and forwardly of said passageway whereby to bend the ends of said wire forwardly with the advance of said first arm pair.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said jig block includes front end corners and said wire bending means includes a second pair of arms having rear free ends shaped substantially to complement said front end corners and transversely movable between an advanced position with said second arm free ends substantially engaging said front end corners and a retracted position forwardly of said advanced position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the confronting faces of said first arms have grooves formed thereon along the lengths of said first arms at the level of said passageway and the corner engaging faces of said second arms have grooves formed therein along the lengths of said faces at the level of said passageway.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wire feed means comprises a source of wire,'a wire guide positioned between said jig block and said wire source and having a guideway in axial alignment with saidjig block passageway and spaced from said jig block, and a wire severing element movable along the face of said guide member confronting said jig block and across the axis of said guideway.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 comprising a transversely movable first yoke including a pair of longitudinally spaced parallel transverse arms positioned on opposite sides of said jig block, one of said yoke arms being slideable along said guide member and having a leading free end defining said wire severing element, said wire bending means comprising a second yoke member transversely slideable mounted on said first yoke member between the parallel arms thereof, said second yoke member including a pair of arms movable along transverse paths proximate the ends of said block between a retracted position rearwardly of and out of longitudinal registry with said passageway and forwardly of said passageway whereby to bend the ends of wire forwardly with the advance of said second arm pair.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 including spring means resiliently urging said second yoke member forwardly relative to said first yoke member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said passageway is open topped and said wells in said jig block are of greater transverse dimension than said passageway.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the portions of said passageway directed toward said wire feeding means are outwardly flared toward said wire feeding means at the faces of said wells and the end face of said block facing said wire feeding means.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the upper front and rear inside faces of said wells are downwardly inwardly inclined.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wire feeding means comprises a first stationary unilateral wire clamp including a pair of opposing arms converging toward said jig block passageway and having free ends resiliently urged toward each other and a second unilateral wire clamp including a pair of opposing arms converging toward said first clamps and having free ends resiliently urged toward each other, said second clamp being longitudinally reciprocatable toward and away from said first clamp.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wire bending means comprises a bending member having a wire bending face and being swingable about a vertical axis between a retracted position with said bending face transversely offset on one side of the longitudinal axis of said passageway to permit the axial advance of said wire and an advanced position on the opposite side of said longitudinal axis.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the swing axis of said bending member is proximate an end face of said jig block.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said bending member includes a face with a longitudinal groove therein in axial alignment with said passageway when said bending member is in its retracted position.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said bending member is swingable to an advanced position with said bending member face being in confronting proximity with a longitudinal face of said jig block.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said jig block has a longitudinal face extending from an end face of said block along a direction converging with said passageway and said bending member is swingable to an advanced position with said bending member face being in confronting proximity with said longitudinal face of said jig block.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 comprising a bending member positioned proximate each end of said jig block.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the longitudinal spacing between said bending members is adjustable and including means for releasably supporting said jig block between said bending members.

19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said jig block includes an oblique longitudinal face extending from each end face of said jig block and converging inwardly toward said passageway.

20. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the corners of said block between the outer ends of said longitudinal oblique faces and said jig block end faces are recessed to provide corner access to the respective end wells.

21. The method for releasably securing to a mounting card a plurality of longitudinally spaced devices provided with projecting apertured elements comprising the steps of mounting said devices on said card with said apertured elements depending from said card and with said apertures in coaxial alignment, positioning said device carrying card on a block provided with longitudinally spaced wells interconnected by an open topped longitudinal passageway with said apertured elements engaging said wells and said apertures in coaxial alignment with said passageway, inserting a pliable wire through said passageway and said apertures, transversely bending the opposite ends of said wire and then lifting said device carrying card from said block with said wire passing through said passageway open top.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the ends of said wire are transversely bent approximately 

1. An apparatus for securing to a mounting card a plurality of devices located on the card and having apertured elements depending from said devices through said card and being linearly aligned comprising a jig block having a longitudinal passageway extending along the length thereof and a plurality of longitudinally spaced wells in the top face thereof communicating with said passageway and adapted to receive the apertured elements of the devices on a card positioned on said jig block with said apertures in axial alignment with said passageway, means for feeding a length of wire through said passageway and the apertured elements registering therewith, and means for transversely bending said wire proximate the opposite end wells in said block.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wire bending means comprises a first pair of arms movable along transverse paths proximate the ends of said block between a retracted position rearwardly of and out of registry with said passageway and forwardly of said passageway whereby to bend the ends of said wire forwardly with the advance of said first arm pair.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said jig block includes front end corners and said wire bending means includes a second pair of arms having rear free ends shaped substantially to complement said front end corners and transversely movable between an advanced position with said second arm free ends substantially engaging said front end corners and a retracted position forwardly of said advanced position.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the confronting faces of said first arms have grooves formed thereon along the lengths of said first arms at the level of said passageway and the corner engaging faces of said second arms have grooves formed therein along the lengths of said faces at the level of said passageway.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wire feed means comprises a source of wire, a wire guide positioned between said jig block and said wire source and having a guideway in axial alignment with said jig block passageway and spaced from said jig block, and a wire severing element movable along the face of said guide member confronting said jig block and across the axis of said guideway.
 6. The appAratus of claim 5 comprising a transversely movable first yoke including a pair of longitudinally spaced parallel transverse arms positioned on opposite sides of said jig block, one of said yoke arms being slideable along said guide member and having a leading free end defining said wire severing element, said wire bending means comprising a second yoke member transversely slideable mounted on said first yoke member between the parallel arms thereof, said second yoke member including a pair of arms movable along transverse paths proximate the ends of said block between a retracted position rearwardly of and out of longitudinal registry with said passageway and forwardly of said passageway whereby to bend the ends of wire forwardly with the advance of said second arm pair.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 including spring means resiliently urging said second yoke member forwardly relative to said first yoke member.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said passageway is open topped and said wells in said jig block are of greater transverse dimension than said passageway.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the portions of said passageway directed toward said wire feeding means are outwardly flared toward said wire feeding means at the faces of said wells and the end face of said block facing said wire feeding means.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the upper front and rear inside faces of said wells are downwardly inwardly inclined.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wire feeding means comprises a first stationary unilateral wire clamp including a pair of opposing arms converging toward said jig block passageway and having free ends resiliently urged toward each other and a second unilateral wire clamp including a pair of opposing arms converging toward said first clamps and having free ends resiliently urged toward each other, said second clamp being longitudinally reciprocatable toward and away from said first clamp.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wire bending means comprises a bending member having a wire bending face and being swingable about a vertical axis between a retracted position with said bending face transversely offset on one side of the longitudinal axis of said passageway to permit the axial advance of said wire and an advanced position on the opposite side of said longitudinal axis.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the swing axis of said bending member is proximate an end face of said jig block.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said bending member includes a face with a longitudinal groove therein in axial alignment with said passageway when said bending member is in its retracted position.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said bending member is swingable to an advanced position with said bending member face being in confronting proximity with a longitudinal face of said jig block.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said jig block has a longitudinal face extending from an end face of said block along a direction converging with said passageway and said bending member is swingable to an advanced position with said bending member face being in confronting proximity with said longitudinal face of said jig block.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12 comprising a bending member positioned proximate each end of said jig block.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the longitudinal spacing between said bending members is adjustable and including means for releasably supporting said jig block between said bending members.
 19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said jig block includes an oblique longitudinal face extending from each end face of said jig block and converging inwardly toward said passageway.
 20. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the corners of said block between the outer ends of said longitudinal oblique faces and said jig block end faces are recessed to provide corner access to the respective end wells.
 21. The method for releasably securing to a mounting card a plurality of longituDinally spaced devices provided with projecting apertured elements comprising the steps of mounting said devices on said card with said apertured elements depending from said card and with said apertures in coaxial alignment, positioning said device carrying card on a block provided with longitudinally spaced wells interconnected by an open topped longitudinal passageway with said apertured elements engaging said wells and said apertures in coaxial alignment with said passageway, inserting a pliable wire through said passageway and said apertures, transversely bending the opposite ends of said wire and then lifting said device carrying card from said block with said wire passing through said passageway open top.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the ends of said wire are transversely bent approximately 180*. 